That’s right guys and gals, you read it correctly. Metropolis. The adopted third home of Superman (the previous homes obviously being Krypton and Smallville, naturally) and the place where Journalists put their neck on the line for no apparent reason and where Jimmy Olsen got his big break. Not to mention Lexcorp! (There’s a corp idea for you right there, for free!)

On a more serious note, I have made a little journey to improve my exploration efforts. You see, I somehow neglected to notice that the place I was previously based, in The Citadel was a pocket of just 3 low security systems, offering me a very little chance of any exploratory success…though I did find that ONE radar site…Anyway I digress!

It’s been a busy two weeks, unfortunately involving very little “pew pew” and more than enough “move ship there”. However, in EVE these things come with the territory and in my quest to start profiting from Exploration I need to get the moving done. My low security status keeps me out of Empire and, thankfully, away from the ease of L4 mission running and the easy profits they bring. It’s a blessing really as when I used to mission regularly I became really disillusioned with the whole PvE thing and felt that my soul had become a slow tap, dripping away into infinity…never to return.

But enough about  the horrors of deep space banality  and onto whatever I was blathering about this time…ah yes – Music!

There’s been some interesting discussion between a few of us on Twitter about the EVE Empires and what music genres or bands would be associated with each race in real life. It provoked hearty chuckles and a thigh slap or two (thanks guys) and so I thought I’d bring the topic here for closer inspection…. So what I will do is, I’ll list the races and I will attach links to songs which I think quite well with each race, I’ll be using Spotify and YouTube as I know not everyone has access to Spotify, particularly in the USA and likewise, I don’t have access to a service like Pandora unfortunately… So here’s tracks I think that go with the races/bloodlines of EVE, some more serious, some not so so let’s all have some fun and see if we can find some songs we like eh?

CALDARI

So, a brief summary. We have the Deteis – natural leaders and typical examples of basic Caldari principles like duty, efficiency and unquestionable loyalty. We have the Civire, the bloodthirsty wardogs of the State and the deeply spiritual and introverted Achura. The State, to me is about discipline, unity and loyalty and as a result I’ve tried to pick songs that fit in with these themes either due to sound or lyrical content as well as dabbling in some bloodline specific choices…

The Russian Red Army Choir – Farewell Of Slavianka [Spotify | YouTube] – The Red Army Choir are a personal favourite of mine, nobody quite makes these militaristic marching songs like the Russians. Russian classical pieces and also pieces like this just have an inherent sound that differentiates them from more Western pieces. Originally it was written in honour of the Bulgarian women waving their husbands and sons off to the First Balkan War and this sort of well organised marching piece sends images of ordered columns, massed weapons and great patriotism to my brain. If the Caldari were going to have marching songs, they’d be like this.

The Russian Red Army Choir – The Sacred War [Spotify | YouTube] – Another from the Red Army Choir here (I love those guys!) I chose this one as it  was written immediately after the invasion of Russia by Nazi Germany in 1941 and I’m therefore drawing off that sense of mobilization and national unity and smacking upon it a big sticker that says “Caldari – Gallente War”. I don’t need to say much more than that…other than “Let noble fury boil up like a wave. A people’s war is going on, a sacred war!”

Yo-Yo Ma – Chugoku-Chiho-No-Komoritua [Spotify | YouTube] - In EVE Lore, the Achura started to send pilots into space en masse after a great spiritual relic was stolen from their home world. This song, a Japanese lullaby, is done really well in a version by Yo-Yo Ma that I think strikes that right sort of balance between soft and sad. I really enjoy this piece and I think the Achura would too.

Rammstein – Stripped [Spotify | YouTube] - This song is utterly perfect for The State and is no doubt cherised by the Caldari youth as much as their picture of Tibus Heth. Rammstein’s cover of Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” is ideal for the Caldari State, speaking out to the Civire youth in nightclubs and holobars on worlds everywhere. “Metropolis, has nothing on this” – perfect, given that Metropolis is a GALLENTE region. See guys? It’s perfect!

GALLENTE

I found the Gallente most difficult to pick for at first, but I quickly embraced their musical ideals…or at least what I think they would be. The one true Democracy of EVE, the Gallente Federation of States comprises primarily of the Gallente people themselves, ambitious, inquisitive and highly opinionated; the Intaki and their unique rebirth philosophy and the caste-conscious Jin-Mei. Ethinically and culturally diverse, the Federation is a place where anyone can rise from rags to riches and equally fall from riches to rags.

Daft Punk – Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger [Spotify | YouTube] - Hey, Daft Punk are French. The Gallente are descended from the French. Hell…there might even be the descendents OF Daft Punk living on a Gallente world…Yeah, makes sense now doesn’t it? Also, Daft Punk’s brand of infectious progressive dance is perfect for the Gallente, mixing different styles and conjuring up images of dancing to excess and bright lights. Where else in the EVE Universe could Daft Punk exist but in the Gallente Federation?

Massive Attack – Risingson [Spotify | YouTube] – Massive Attack are a personal relish of mine, this song in particular. When thinking about the Gallente I figured that Massive Attack’s often outspoken ways would fit right into the liberal Gallente society where they couldn’t have flourished elsewhere. Obviously this is a favourite of the flourishing Gallentian trip hop scene.

Beastie Boys – Intergalactic [Spotify | YouTube] – Come on, you must have seen this one coming?! Whilst not as hard hitting as the flourishing Minmatar “ghetto” rap scene, Gallente hip-hop is much more diverse and experimental – Beastie Boys exemplify this…and the song’s called “Intergalactic”. Go figure!

Linkin Park – Points Of Authority [Spotify | YouTube] - Gallente rock music is generally considered much more “mainstream” than it’s Minmatar cousin. The diverse nature of the Minmatar tribes manages to keep the sound raw, but in Gallentean space, high production values and the knowledge of catering to the galaxies largest entertainment audience ensures a more “streamlined” sound to cater to Gallentean youths. Enter Linkin Park…

AMARR

Well…what can we say about the Amarr. A theocratic Empire, the largest in EVE housing the Amarr, proud and supercilious; the Ni-Kunni – a conquered race now primarily composed of tradesmen and artisans and the Khanid, or at least what remains of the Khanids outside of the Khanid Kingdom. Religion is at the core of Amarrian society and I’m definitely not going to start calling the Amarr “bleeding heart liberals” anytime soon.

Enigma – Sadeness (Part I) [Spotify | YouTube] - This should have Amarr written on the cover to be honest. This is nu-wave Amarrian dance at its finest, embracing the chant of the cathedral and fusing it with relaxing synths and a dance groove. Perfect.

Gregorio Allegri – Miserere [Spotify | YouTube] - What could be more suited to the Amarrian old school than Gregorian chant? The answer is…nothing. Again, should have Amarr logos on it. (Note: There’s a difference between the Spotify and YouTube versions, but there’s so many different versions by so many different choirs. I advise both as they’re both insanely beautiful pieces.

Mozart – Lacrimosa [Spotify | YouTube] – One of my personal favourites here. A fitting requiem for an Amarrian Emperor.

Enya – Boadicea [Spotify | YouTube] – I’m going to step up and link this one with Jamyl Sarum right about now. “Boadicea”, inspired by the legendary Celtic queen herself and then sampled by The Fugees for “Ready or Not” has the right sort of aesthetic that you could do a video with a fly by of the Royal Fleet with this in the background and it would definitely work. Jamyl may not be a Rebel Queen, but she is a badass Empress at the forefront of her Empire’s struggles. (Note: What the hell is going on in the YouTube video that person has posted?!)

MINMATAR

I do have a bit of relish in the tank for the Minmatar, ever the scrappy underdogs…the little scamps! Enslaved for generations by the Amarr (most of them still are), they are the most numerous of EVE’s races but probably the most unstable from the ingenious Sebiestors to the martial Brutor and of course we can’t forget the nomadic and tricky little Thukkers, the Minmatar are diverse and “raw”, still maintaining a sense of their tribal roots. I think you can see where this is going…

Sepultura – Ratamahatta [Spotify | YouTube] – Brazilian metal never sounded this good, it’s clear to me that this would probably get some airtime on Minmatar radio. It’s got that tribal feel and it’s got that raw energy which highlights the fact that Gallentean rock is just so watered down….

Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name [Spotify | YouTube] - When a bunch of Sebiestors got together to form a “political rock band”, this is what happened. It’s also highly topical right now in the UK as fans rally against the X Factor in an attempt to put RATM at Christmas Number 1 in the charts. Lots of Amarr related anger in this one…

Lamb Of God – Hourglass [Spotify | YouTube] - The heavy edge of Brutor metal clearly! I love this track and only the Minmatar could come up with something brutally groovy and that’s a scientific fact! “Priviliged a chosen few, blessed with our time in hell”. It’s got Minmatar written all over it guys!

Five Finger Death Punch – Bad Company [Spotify | YouTube] – If they were in EVE, these guys would be Thukkers. Thukker’s would sing Bad Company on long roams and they’d be known galaxy wide. “Rebel souls, deserters we’ve been called” “Bad Company, until the day I die”, “A company always on the run”. It makes perfect sense!

So there you have it. Four tracks a piece! I could have picked a shed load more but…I thought four seemed like a decent number for people to assimilate. I had a lot of fun picking the tracks and trying to imagine them in an EVE context, so I hope you guys have some fun listening also and maybe even finding a track you like? Who knows! I hope nobody takes this too seriously… Oh I did want to add an addendum…

JOVIAN

That’s right…the enigmatic Jovians. Light years ahead of everyone else and unrivalled in power, it’s their own genetic tampering that is their undoing! I had a few tracks in mind, mainly for a laugh! Soundscapes, electronica…chill out…The Jovians removed violent tendencies genetically after all…

Vangelis – Blade Runner Blues [Spotify | YouTube] - I’m in love with this at the moment, I think I’ve watched Blade Runner: The Final Cut too many times on BluRay…Sounds Jovian to me, beautiful atmospherics.

Aphex Twin – Tha [Spotify | YouTube] – The master of ambience, a man so experimental that he HAS to be Jovian. Aphex Twin.

The Orb – Alles Ist Schoen [Spotify | YouTube] - Probably taken from a Jovian relaxation booth. Probably.

Kraftwerk – The Model [Spotify | YouTube] – A Jovian lovesong? Clearly. If the Jovians could love, and weren’t born in test tubes…Maybe an attempt after hanging around with the other races.

And that’s a wrap! Enjoy and let me know what you think and maybe offer your own choices for discussion!!!